Which of the following is most likely to occur if an amphibian zygote is manipulated so that the first cleavage plane fails to divide the gray crescent?
A) the daughter cell with the entire gray crescent will die
B) both daughter cells will develop normally, because amphibians are totipotent at this stage
C) only the daughter cell with the gray crescent will develop normally
D) both daughter cells will develop abnormally

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gray crescent area in amphibian zygotes is crucial for normal development, as it contains determinants necessary for the establishment of the body axis. If the first cleavage plane fails to divide the gray crescent, only the daughter cell inheriting the gray crescent will have the necessary components to develop normally, while the other cell will lack these components and will not develop properly.

Which of the Following Is Most Likely to Occur If